Getting Ready for the Emmys with Scandal’s Kerry Washington

The actress’s stylist, Erin Walsh, shares her photo diary from one very big night.

Working with Kerry Washington is simply joyful. She is inspiring, inquisitive, and curious, and besides all her talent and beauty and brains, she is a wonderful example of how to live. I think most people become better versions of themselves around her because how could you resist? When it comes to working together—especially on dressing for big events like the Emmy Awards—all of these qualities make her the perfect collaborator, and we (literally) often finish each other’s thoughts.

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The dress didn’t need much in the way of bling with shoes, but a refined shoe silhouette was in order—and the Christian Louboutin “fairy dusting” of a sparkle did just the trick. Of course, it always helps to have backups, but typically for a specific event where everything is done, I leave the sea of shoes behind (or at least in the car) and bring a more edited selection. Kerry is a pro on heels! She never complains. Here we have options from Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo.

Photo: Courtesy of Erin Walsh

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On the accessories front, we didn’t want anything that would distract, only pieces that would accent our stunner of a dress. In the end, the gold band on one of the Movado watches worked so well with the glints of gold on the dress. My first boss at Vogue,Phyllis Posnick, is the master of “less-is-more,” and I always try to keep that in mind.

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We have Kerry’s favorite snacks on hand: Eleni’s cookies! They made a her a very "glam” tray with cute cookies shaped like lipsticks, shoes, and even a blow-dryer. I thought it was hilarious.

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Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez’s impeccable stash—I always love the “making camp” part of getting ready at a hotel suite. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly all the getting-ready bits can be set up (and then just as quickly deconstructed).

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When it comes to picking the right bag, it’s essential to examine tones and textures to see how it goes with the jewelry. Lucky for us, we had a mix of clutches from Marchesa, Bottega Veneta, Edie Parker, Jill Milan, Kotur, and Roger Vivier from which to choose.

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Kerry and I had been on the search for the perfect dress for this special night forever, and I texted her from the Marchesa show before it even started; as soon as I sat down and read the run-through, I had a feeling just from reading the descriptions. We are incredibly lucky to share this strange synchronicity in terms of what we think can work. I called the designers, Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman, right after the show—and they were so excited.

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Hairstylist Marcus Francis and Carola finishing up the beauty look before Kerry slips into her dress.

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The dress is on! Now we maneuver the harness, which I really wanted tied exactly so. I find myself close to the ground quite often on occasions like these, so pants are usually a good call. I also seem to have adopted a work uniform of lots of white and black. I keep it clean so I can focus on who’s in front of me—I obviously like to be very hands-on.

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Kerry’s nail expert Lisa Wong made this crazy lace manicure—which was amazing—and very different from her clean Olivia Pope nail. We try to distinguish Kerry’s red carpet look from the look of her TV character, who also happens to have impeccable taste.

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In my opinion, a full-length mirror is really a must on occasions like these. Otherwise you end up balancing precariously on a chair in the bathroom for the full effect—and I think it is wise to limit the danger before you walk out the door. Kerry makes everything look easy, but this dress just seemed absolutely the embodiment of everything we were looking for, and seeing it all pulled together—it’s just perfect.